JP3820085B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera capable of transmitting and recording an image captured by an image sensor to a recording medium or a communication center attached to the camera body to a recording / management center or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a printing system has been proposed in which a digital still camera (electronic camera) and a lab store are connected via a communication line, and image data obtained by the electronic camera is stored in a large-capacity memory in the lab store and can be printed out. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-322114). This system includes a camera body that captures an image of a subject, a data communication unit that transfers image data obtained by the camera body and identification data corresponding to the camera body, receives image data and identification data, and manages them in an image database. And printing equipment for reading out and printing necessary image data.
[0003]
In this type of system, the image data obtained by imaging with the electronic camera is immediately transferred to the printing facility by the data communication unit, so that the camera only needs a buffer memory for one image. Therefore, a high-quality hard copy can be obtained without preparing a large-capacity recording medium in the electronic camera, and the camera can be reduced in size and cost.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, this type of electronic camera has the following problems. In other words, an electronic camera is valuable only if it can be easily carried anywhere and anytime and anyone can easily shoot. However, there is a problem that the electronic camera according to the above prior art cannot be used in an area where communication facilities are not provided.
[0005]
In order to solve this problem, a relatively large-capacity recording medium is provided in the electronic camera, the first mode in which image data is recorded on the recording medium attached to the electronic camera, and the image data is transmitted through the communication means. A method in which the photographer selects a second mode for transferring to a large-capacity memory installed in a store or the like can be considered. However, in this case, the speed of the electronic camera is impaired due to the mode switching. In particular, when the second mode is selected in an area where communication facilities are not prepared, there is a decisive problem that an opportunity for photographing is missed.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to capture an image captured by an image sensor via a communication means without losing the original function of the electronic camera. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can be transmitted to a center for recording and management.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(Constitution)
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configuration.
[0008]
That is , according to the first aspect of the present invention , there is provided an electronic camera capable of selectively recording an image captured by an image sensor on its own recording medium or a memory provided in a center connected via communication means. A recording medium for recording an image, a determination unit for determining whether or not a capacity that can be stored in the memory of the center is a predetermined amount or more, and a result of determination by the determination unit can be stored in the memory of the center If it is determined that the capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the image is transmitted to the center, and if it is determined that the capacity that can be stored in the memory of the center is not greater than the predetermined amount, the image is recorded on the recording medium. characterized in that and a control means for.
[0016]
(Function)
According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the capacity that can be stored in the center memory is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and if it is determined that the capacity that can be stored in the center memory is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, When the image is transmitted and it is determined that the capacity that can be stored in the center memory is not more than a predetermined amount, the image is recorded on the recording medium of the electronic camera.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
[0020]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of an electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
In the figure, 1 is a photographing lens, 2 is a CCD image pickup device for picking up a subject image, 3 is a process processing circuit for separating color signals, gain control, gamma correction, etc., 4 is an A / D converter, and 5 is image data. Frame memory for temporary storage, 6 an LCD driver, 7 a liquid crystal display (LCD), 8 an encoding / decoding circuit for compressing and decompressing image data, and 9 for transmitting and receiving data Modulator / demodulator (modem), 10 is a header information memory storing header information relating to an image to be transmitted, 11 is a recording medium such as a compact flash or smart media (registered trademark), and 12 is a controller (CPU) that controls the control of each part. , 13 indicates various operation switches such as power on / off and mode switching, and 14 indicates a motor for driving the photographing lens 1. To have.
[0022]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a release switch. The release switch 15 includes a release first switch (SW1) and a release second switch (SW2). SW1 and SW2 are switches that operate in conjunction with the release operation. When a release operation button (not shown) is lightly pressed, SW1 is turned on first, and then when pressed strongly, SW2 is turned on. The connection to the communication line is instructed when SW1 is turned on, and the photographing operation is started when SW2 is turned on.
[0023]
The image data temporarily stored in the frame memory 5 is compressed with a first mode that is compressed by the encoding / decoding circuit 8 and recorded on the recording medium 11 under the control of the controller 12. Instead, one of the second modes transmitted as it is to the outside via the modem 9 is selected. Further, the image data input from the outside to the modem 9 by communication is stored in the frame memory 5 and displayed on the LCD 7. Here, the image data input from the outside is thumbnail image data obtained by reducing the original image.
[0024]
In addition to the normal switch, the operation switch 13 has a mode for preferentially storing image data in the recording medium 11 attached to the camera body, and a memory provided in the center for transmitting image data to the center. A priority mode selection switch is provided for selecting a mode to be stored in the memory.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system using the above-described electronic camera. A center 30 that receives, records, and prints out image data includes a modem 31, a server 32, a printer 33, and the like, and is connected to a telephone exchange 51 by the modem 31. The center user terminal 40 includes a modem 41 and a personal computer 42, and is connected to the telephone exchange 51 by the modem 41. A plurality of radio base stations 53 are connected to the telephone exchange 51 via public telephone lines 52. The electronic camera 20 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can communicate with the radio base station 53.
[0026]
Here, the center 30 may be a lab store shared by a plurality of users, or may be the photographer's own office or home. The server 32 includes a large-capacity memory, stores image data transmitted from the electronic camera in a memory designated by a user ID, and controls peripheral devices such as the printer 33 in response to a request.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a recording format of transmission data transmitted from the electronic camera 20. The transmission data includes a center ID representing the identification number of the center as the transmission destination, a user ID representing the identification number of the user as the sender, a recording format for recording in any format such as Bitmap, TIFF, and JPEG (compression) 0 if not), compression rate for specifying the compression rate when a format such as JPEG is specified, the number of prints (0 if not printed), size, shutter speed, etc. It includes shooting information for recording an aperture value and the like, an image identification ID for identifying an image for each frame (if there is no such designation, it is identified by the time of transmission), and image data.
[0028]
Next, the imaging operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0029]
First, release of the release switch 15 is determined (S11), and when the release is performed, imaging is performed (S12). Then, the remaining memory capacity of the recording medium 11 of the electronic camera 20 is detected, and it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity is smaller than the set amount α (S13). If it is determined in S13 that the remaining amount is less than α, it is determined whether or not image data can be transmitted (S14).
[0030]
Here, as a method for determining whether or not transmission is possible in S14, it is determined whether or not a predetermined signal is transmitted from the electronic camera 20 to the center 30 and a predetermined signal is returned. Specifically, a signal for confirming whether or not communication is possible from the electronic camera 20 to the center 30 is transmitted, and in contrast, the usable capacity of the memory provided in the center 30 exceeds a predetermined amount. It is determined whether or not. And if it is more than a predetermined amount, a response signal indicating that communication is possible is transmitted, and it is possible to determine whether or not communication is possible by receiving this on the electronic camera 20 side.
[0031]
It should be noted that the above-described determination as to whether or not communication is possible is preferably detected by the first release operation (SW1 is turned on) so as to be performed immediately before shooting. As described above, the release switch 15 can detect two stages based on the pressing level. The release switch 15 determines whether the transmission is possible in the first release operation, and turns on the power when the electronic camera is not yet supplied with power. Starts operations such as charging. Then, the release is performed by the second release operation (ON of SW2).
[0032]
If it is determined in S14 that transmission is possible, “image transmission” is displayed on the camera body (S15), and at the same time, image data is transmitted (S16). At this time, the electronic camera 20 transmits the data as it is to the center 30 without compressing the image data. If it is determined in S14 that transmission is impossible, a warning message “no recording capacity” is displayed on the camera body (S17).
[0033]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S13 that the remaining memory capacity is greater than or equal to α, the imaging data is recorded on the recording medium 11 of the electronic camera 20 (S18). At this time, the image data is recorded after being compressed at a predetermined compression rate.
[0034]
Thus, in this embodiment, according to the remaining amount of the recording medium 11 in the electronic camera 20, the first mode for storing captured image data in the recording medium 11 and the second mode for transmitting to the center 30 by communication. The mode is automatically selected. That is, when the recording medium 11 has sufficient capacity, the first mode is automatically selected, and photographing can be performed in the same manner as a normal electronic camera. When the remaining capacity of the recording medium 11 is small, the second mode is automatically selected, and the captured image is recorded in the memory in the server 32 provided in the center 30 via the communication means. You can shoot without worrying about.
[0035]
Therefore, even in a place where communication facilities are not prepared, as long as there is a remaining memory capacity of the recording medium of the camera body, it is possible to perform shooting in the same manner as a normal electronic camera. And where communication facilities are in place, it is possible to shoot without worrying about memory capacity.
[0036]
Further, when image data is transmitted to the center, the data is transmitted as it is without being compressed, so that data can be transferred at high speed without being restricted by the time required for image compression. For this reason, it is possible to quickly move to the next imaging with the electronic camera. At present, the data transfer rate is slower than the compression rate, so this advantage is small. However, if the data transfer rate becomes higher in the future, this effect will be extremely large.
[0037]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the electronic camera and the configuration of the print system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are omitted here.
[0038]
First, release of the release switch 15 is determined (S21), and when the release is performed, imaging is performed (S22). Then, it is determined whether or not transmission is possible (S23). Here, the determination method of whether transmission is possible in S23 may be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0039]
If it is determined in S23 that transmission is possible, “image transmission” is displayed on the camera body (S24), and at the same time, image data is transmitted (S25). If it is determined in S23 that transmission is not possible, the remaining memory capacity of the recording medium 11 of the electronic camera 20 is detected, and it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity is less than the set amount α (S26). When it is determined in S26 that the remaining memory capacity is equal to or larger than α, the imaging data is recorded in the recording medium 11 of the electronic camera 20 (S27). If it is determined in S26 that the remaining amount is less than α, a warning message “No recording capacity” is displayed on the camera body (S28).
[0040]
Note that when image data is transmitted from the electronic camera 20 to the center 30, data compression is not performed, and when image data is recorded on the recording medium 11, data compression is the same as in the first embodiment. .
[0041]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the first mode in which captured image data is stored in the recording medium 11 in the electronic camera 10 and the second mode in which the image data is transmitted to the center 30 by communication, depending on whether communication is possible. And are automatically selected. That is, when communication is possible, the second mode is automatically selected, and the captured image is recorded in the memory in the server 32 provided in the center 30 via the communication means. You can shoot without having to. If communication is not possible, the first mode is automatically selected, and as long as the recording medium 11 has sufficient capacity, photographing can be performed in the same manner as a normal electronic camera.
[0042]
Therefore, it is possible to shoot without worrying about memory capacity when communication facilities are in place, and even where communication facilities are not in place, as long as there is a remaining recording medium, it is the same as with an ordinary electronic camera. Shooting can be performed. Further, when image data is transmitted to the center, data can be transferred at high speed without being restricted by the time required for image compression, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0043]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the user selects which of the first mode and the second mode is prioritized. The configuration of the electronic camera and the configuration of the print system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are omitted here.
[0044]
First, the user selects in advance which of the first mode and the second mode is prioritized (S30). In this state, the release of the release switch 15 is determined (S31), and when it is released, an image is taken (S32). Then, it is determined whether the previously selected priority mode is the first mode or the second mode (S33).
[0045]
When the first mode is prioritized, when the capacity of the recording medium 11 in the electronic camera 20 remains sufficiently by the operations of S13 to S18 described above as in the first embodiment, an image is displayed on the recording medium 11. When the data is recorded and the remaining amount of the recording medium 11 is low, the image data is stored in the memory in the server 32. On the other hand, when the second mode is prioritized, image data is stored in the memory in the server 32 when communication is possible by the operations of S23 to S28 described above as in the second embodiment, and communication is impossible. In this case, image data is recorded on the recording medium 11.
[0046]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user selects in advance which of the first mode and the second mode is prioritized, so that the memory capacity of the recording medium 11, the communication environment, and the like are met. Optimal data storage is possible. In this case, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained regardless of which is selected, and when communication facilities are in place, shooting can be performed without worrying about memory capacity. Even in the absence of equipment, as long as the recording medium 11 of the camera body has a remaining amount, it is possible to perform shooting in the same manner as a normal electronic camera.
[0047]
Further, even if the first mode is erroneously set when the remaining capacity of the recording medium 11 is less than the predetermined value, the second mode is automatically selected in this case. There is no inconvenience of missing a photo opportunity due to incorrect settings. Similarly, even if the second mode is mistakenly set prior to communication facilities being inadequate, the first mode is automatically selected in this case, so shooting is performed with an incorrect setting. There is no inconvenience that misses the opportunity.
[0048]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the electronic camera and the configuration of the print system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are omitted here.
[0049]
First, when the release first switch SW1 is turned on (S41), connection of a communication line is started (S42). Next, it is determined whether the release second switch SW2 is on (S43). When SW2 is turned on, imaging is performed (S44), and the obtained image data is temporarily stored in the frame memory 5 of the camera body (S45). If SW2 is not turned on in S43, it is determined whether SW1 is turned on (S46). If SW1 is turned off, the communication line is cut off (S47) and the process returns to the start. If SW1 is on, the process returns to S43 and waits for SW2 to turn on.
[0050]
As described above, when image data is stored in the frame memory 5 in S45, it is determined whether communication connection is completed (S48). If it is determined that the connection of the communication line has been completed, the image data stored in the frame memory 5 is transmitted to the center 30 via the communication line (S49). If it is determined in S48 that the connection of the communication line is not completed, the image data is recorded on the recording medium 11 attached to the camera body (S51). When recording the image data on the recording medium 11, the image data is compressed to, for example, TIFF or JPEG.
[0051]
By processing as described above, the image data captured by the electronic camera can be preferentially transmitted to the center 30, and if the connection of the communication line is not yet completed even when shooting is completed, the electronic data Image data can be recorded on the recording medium 11 of the camera body. For this reason, it is possible to quickly respond to the next shooting and never miss a photo opportunity. In other words, it is possible to satisfy the high speed and portability required for the electronic camera.
[0052]
Next, the transmitted image data or the image data stored in the recording medium 11 is converted into a thumbnail image and stored in a predetermined area of the recording medium 11 together with the photographing time. Here, the thumbnail image is recorded on the recording medium 11 with a predetermined code for identifying whether the corresponding original image is transmitted or recorded on the recording medium 11. It shall be. Note that the thumbnail images are used for temporarily confirming the captured images, so that the thumbnail images are stored not in the recording medium 11 including a nonvolatile memory that can be attached to and detached from the camera body, but in a RAM built in the camera body. May be.
[0053]
When displaying the thumbnail image on the LCD 7, for example, if it is a transmitted image, it is displayed as shown in FIG. 8A, and is an image recorded in the recording medium 11 attached to the camera body or the RAM built in the camera. If there is, it is displayed as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to easily confirm whether the image data has already been transmitted. Therefore, the transmitted image can be easily distinguished from the image that is not, and for the transmitted image, for example, a thumbnail image corresponding to the image displayed on the LCD 7 at the shooting time is displayed from the center 30 to the electronic camera 20. It is also possible to surely confirm whether or not the image has been shot by downloading to the LCD 7 and displaying on the LCD 7.
[0054]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the first mode in which captured image data is stored in the recording medium 11 in the electronic camera 10 and the second mode in which the image data is transmitted to the center 30 by communication, depending on whether communication is possible. And are automatically selected. That is, when communication is possible, the second mode is automatically selected, and when communication is not possible, the first mode is automatically selected, and the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained. It is done.
[0055]
In addition, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation can be implemented in the range which does not deviate from the summary. In the embodiment, the image data is transmitted without being compressed. However, when the communication speed is low, the image data may be transmitted after being compressed. In addition, transmission may be performed by appropriately switching between compression and non-compression. Further, the image transmitted from the center to the camera side is not necessarily limited to the thumbnail image, and may be an original image before reduction.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the capacity that can be stored in the center memory is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. When it is determined, the image is sent to the center, and when it is determined that the capacity that can be stored in the center memory is not more than the predetermined amount, the image is recorded on the recording medium of the electronic camera without worrying about the memory capacity. It becomes possible to shoot. Further, when the capacity that can be stored in the memory of the center is not more than a predetermined amount, as long as the capacity of the recording medium of the electronic camera remains, photographing can be performed in the same manner as a normal electronic camera.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a print system using the electronic camera according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a recording format of transmission data transmitted from the electronic camera.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a photographing operation in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic camera according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a transmitted image and an image that is not.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shooting lens 2 ... CCD image sensor 3 ... Process processing circuit 4 ... A / D converter 5 ... Frame memory 6 ... LCD driver 7 ... LCD
8 ... Encoding / decoding circuits 9, 32, 42 ... Modem 10 ... Header information memory 11 ... Recording medium 12 ... Controller 13 ... Operation switch 14 ... Motor 15 ... Release switch 20 ... Electronic camera 30 ... Center 32 ... Server 33 ... Printer 40 ... Center user terminal 41 ... PC 51 ... Telephone exchange 52 ... Public telephone line 53 ... Radio base station

Claims (1)

An electronic camera capable of selectively recording an image captured by an image sensor in its own recording medium or a memory provided in a center connected via communication means ,
A recording medium for recording an image;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a capacity that can be stored in the memory of the center is a predetermined amount or more ;
As a result of determination by the determination means , when it is determined that the capacity that can be stored in the memory of the center is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the image is transmitted to the center, and the capacity that can be stored in the memory of the center is not greater than a predetermined amount. Control means for recording the image on the recording medium ,
Electronic camera comprising the.

Images